- The Ogun State Government refutes claims that Ogbonna Ogbojionu, who was released after 20 years in prison, was mistakenly jailed for purchasing a stolen generator.
- The government has confirmed that Ogbojionu was lawfully convicted for his role in an armed robbery that resulted in the death of a security guard.
- Ogbojionu was sentenced to death by the Ogun State High Court on January 14, 2003, for participating in a robbery at an ELF petrol station, resulting in the theft of a generator.
The Ogun State Government has dismissed widespread claims that Ogbonna Ogbojionu, recently released after more than two decades in prison, was wrongly convicted for merely purchasing a stolen generator.
In a statement issued by the state’s Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwasina Ogungbade (SAN), the government clarified that Ogbojionu was lawfully sentenced to death in 2003 for his involvement in an armed robbery that resulted in the death of a security guard, Moses Bankole.
According to the statement, Ogbojionu was found guilty of participating in a violent robbery at an ELF petrol station, during which a 10 KVA Lister generator was stolen and the guard was killed. The Ogun State High Court delivered its judgment on January 14, 2003, sentencing him to death.
In 2021, Governor Dapo Abiodun commuted Ogbojionu’s sentence to life imprisonment, and he was granted release in 2025 as part of the Democracy Day prerogative of mercy.
Ogungbade emphasized that 11 prosecution witnesses testified during the trial and that Ogbojionu gave two confessional statements, both of which went unchallenged. Notably, he did not call any witnesses or provide any defense during the proceedings.
He said …
“If, as the viral reports now claim, Segun Ajibade, has truly led a quiet life since his release, it likely suggests genuine remorse for his crimes and his gratitude for his freedom.
“This is the exact opposite of Ogbonna’s intransigence today and could explain why Ogbonna was not considered for release when Segun was.
“Ogbonna’s crime hobbled a business, terrorised Akanni Yusuf, and killed Moses Bankole.
“These victims or their relations remain today and attempts to sanitise Ogbonna’s conduct with falsehoods does fresh injustice to the victims.
“Those who, in a misguided quest for justice, are recreating Ogbonna as a victim will do well to remember Moses Bankole – the true and irredeemable victim of Ogbonna’s crime.
“If Ogbonna is truly reformed, he should silently and gratefully enjoy his freedom and pursue honest pursuits. Presently, his honesty is highly doubtful, and the world is hereby notified.”
The clarification comes amid viral social media claims suggesting that Ogbojionu was wrongfully jailed simply for buying a generator a narrative the state government says is misleading and inaccurate.
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